Arcadia Fallen
- November 17, 2021
- Galdra Studios
- 14h median play time
Arcadia Fallen is an enjoyable and ultimately satisfying VN for those looking for a choice-heavy narrative.
In "Arcadia Fallen," a visual novel adventure, players uncover a mystical world of arcane magic and ancient prophecies. As a young scholar, they must navigate complex relationships and make difficult decisions that will impact the fate of Arcadia. Featuring stunning hand-drawn artwork and an engaging narrative, this immersive game offers a rich and unforgettable experience.
Reviews
- The game features a wholesome and well-written story with engaging characters that players can easily connect with.
- Dialogue choices are meaningful and reflect the character's personality, allowing for a personalized experience.
- The art style is charming, and the voice acting is well-executed, enhancing the overall immersion of the game.
- The endings feel rushed and may not provide the grand resolutions expected from a high magic fantasy story.
- Some players found the narration to be overly focused on themes of resignation and incrementalism, which may detract from the overall enjoyment.
- Character customization options are somewhat limited, and certain emotional moments could have benefited from more dialogue choices.
- story193 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of the game is generally well-received, praised for its engaging characters, emotional depth, and the impact of player choices on the narrative. While some reviewers noted that the plot can feel clichéd or rushed, many appreciated the cozy fantasy setting and the balance of romance and adventure. Overall, the storytelling is highlighted as a strong aspect, with a mix of heartfelt moments and intriguing world-building that invites replayability.
“Not only was the story beautifully written, but it was completely original!”
“The story felt authentic and warm, and I feel that the developers put a lot of heart into its creation.”
“The story is intriguing, and I love all the romances in the game!”
“The first issue is that the pacing of the story feels disjointed and rushed.”
“Not worth the full price though, no matter which route you pick the story and dialogue are more or less the same, feels very repetitive.”
“The story is not engaging, didn't like any of the characters so the romancing part was not fun.”
- emotional32 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its emotional depth, with players expressing strong connections to the story and characters, often leading to tears and heartfelt reactions. Reviewers highlight the well-written dialogue and character dynamics that enhance the emotional stakes, making the experience both wholesome and impactful. While some noted pacing issues, the overall sentiment is that the game successfully evokes a range of emotions, from laughter to sadness, creating a memorable and engaging narrative.
“This was such a beautiful game that truly left me feeling so emotionally connected to the story and characters that my choices had played an integral part in shaping.”
“It's a deeply touching story that will have you making choices that will cause physical reactions in you.”
“Their interactions with each other are so heartwarming; I got a little weepy quite a few times.”
- gameplay24 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players enjoying the simple alchemy puzzles and mechanics, while others find them repetitive and lacking in challenge. Many appreciate the visual style and character development, but feel that the gameplay is ultimately dull and superficial, with little impact on the story. Overall, it seems that while the game offers engaging elements, it may not satisfy those prioritizing gameplay over narrative.
“I sat down and filled out the alchemy book because the mechanic was nice and the new rules and additions to the alchemy system kept it refreshing.”
“The alchemy puzzles were easy to pick up but challenging enough to be a good gameplay feature.”
“The puzzle nature of the alchemy is also rather refreshing to have as roadblocks to overcome, as opposed to a leveling mechanic that would not work well for this kind of story.”
“It's too cliché and superficial in terms of plot and characters, and the gameplay is both too easy (no real challenges) and too time-consuming (no skip function).”
“Plus, the gameplay was honestly very dull - the alchemy turn-wheel mechanic gets old by the fifth time I'm doing it in order to fight a monster and the 'roleplaying' out dialogue apparently doesn't matter at all when it comes to determining the course of the story.”
“The main gameplay mechanic is a simple alchemy mini-game that is more or less a 3-piece slide puzzle.”
- graphics23 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique and charming art style, which many describe as cute and visually appealing, reminiscent of anime aesthetics. While the character designs and backgrounds are highlighted as beautiful, some reviewers noted that animations could feel blocky. Overall, the combination of captivating artwork and excellent voice acting enhances the gaming experience, despite some critiques regarding the story pacing and lack of full voice acting.
“The art style is beautiful and the voice acting was brilliant.”
“A very pleasant experience in story, characters, world and choices, but memorable graphics too.”
“The graphics are cute and I love that there is voice acting, but I find the story and the 'romances' very boring.”
“The art style is very unique and pleasing to look at, and the designs are excellent as well.”
“"Fake" anime art style, with a standard story of a 5-man band (plus a mascot) on a quest to save the world, with next to no "actual" gameplay elements.”
- music19 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally described as pleasant and effective in enhancing the emotional experience, though it lacks standout moments and can sometimes be forgettable. While some users noted issues with volume balance and looping, the overall ambiance is considered enjoyable and unobtrusive. The soundtrack contributes positively to the game's atmosphere, even if it doesn't take center stage.
“The soundtrack is also very decent, providing very pleasant ambience.”
“It is a pleasant experience and the voice acting, music, and art are delightful.”
“Music is quite good too, keeping the atmosphere well.”
“The intro song was enough for me to consider closing the program.”
“Some of the backing tracks did not loop properly, and you could hear them stopping, a silent pause, and then the song would start back up again.”
“I romanced Michael, and it was really noticeable during one of his scenes where he suddenly dropped to a whisper, but the music was still at the same volume as when he spoke normally, so it obfuscated what he said.”
- replayability6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers strong replayability due to its character editor, multiple choices, and four romanceable characters, making it enjoyable for players who appreciate different story outcomes. While some players may find replay value primarily appealing to completionists, the engaging narrative and character interactions provide a solid incentive for multiple playthroughs.
“And with the aforementioned character editor and multitude of choices and possible character reactions all building up on each other, as well as 4 different romanceable characters, replayability is set for a while.”
“Good length, replayable, enjoyable characters/romance and great story with a few touching moments.”
“Really addictive and has quite a bit of replay value.”
“Replay value is only there for the romance option completionists or those who want a 100% achievement game. It is considerably easy to get the 100% achievement though, as there aren't that many.”
“I wished I had more time to feel them out before being locked into an exclusive decision. However, with the ease of replayability, it's ultimately a relatively minor issue, and I do very much enjoy who I ended up with!”
“And with the aforementioned character editor and multitude of choices and possible character reactions all building up on each other, as well as four different romanceable characters, replayability is set for a while.”
- humor5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is characterized by a blend of lightheartedness and darker undertones, combining elements of Disney cartoons with adult fairy tale themes and real-life references. Players appreciate the charming and subversive character dynamics, particularly Michael's rebellious wit, which adds both comedic and emotional depth to the experience. Overall, it offers a mix of casual humor, sweetness, and poignant moments that resonate with players.
“This game is a funny mix of Disney cartoons and a fairy tale for adults with references to our real-life problems.”
“If you are a fan of more casual visual novels with puzzle elements and light humor, you will enjoy this game!”
“It's funny, sweet, emotional, and somehow dark at the sidelines.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is praised for its charming blend of nature and humanity, creating a captivating fantasy world. The music further enhances this immersive experience, contributing to the overall ambiance.
“I think this game was a great way to tell a story that wove together nature and humanity to create a very charming tale full of the atmosphere of a well-built fantasy world.”
“The music is quite good too, enhancing the overall atmosphere.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is highly praised, with 90% of the content fully voice acted by professional voice actors, resulting in outstanding performances that enhance the overall experience. The art style is also noted as super cute, complementing the quality of the voice acting.
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find that while some puzzles in the game can be tedious, these instances are infrequent. However, the three-circle alchemy mechanics, although initially interesting, quickly become repetitive and tiresome.
“The three-circle alchemy mechanics are neat, but they get tedious very fast.”
“Some of the puzzles are kind of tedious, but they are few and far between.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The character development is highlighted by vibrant and distinctive character designs set against stunning backgrounds, contributing to a visually engaging experience.
“The character development is incredibly rich, with each character having a unique backstory that adds depth to the overall narrative.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making choices that truly impact their personalities and relationships.”
“The diverse range of character designs and their individual arcs make the experience feel vibrant and engaging.”
Critic Reviews
Arcadia Fallen Review
Arcadia Fallen is a wonderful game with very well-thought-through underlying messages that are wrapped up in a branching narrative. While its story-heavy personality may not fit the fancy of some folks, its intentions are good enough to entertain most.
80%Arcadia Fallen
Arcadia Fallen is an enjoyable and ultimately satisfying VN for those looking for a choice-heavy narrative.
84%Arcadia Fallen Lets You Be ‘Yourself’
Play the role of a young alchemist apprentice who is unwillingly bound to an illegal spirit. Suddenly drawn into a war between humanity and magic, they must join a group of unlikely heroes to escape their own doom, hopefully saving the world along the way. PC version reviewed.
70%